New Delhi: Namaz should not become a show of strength, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Thursday, even as he termed "unfortunate" Christmas celebrations being interrupted in Pataudi in the state.

Chennai: Heavy to very heavy rains pounded Chennai and the suburbs on Thursday, inundating roads and subways and three persons were killed in rain-related incidents here. Three persons (two women and a boy) died of electrocution here, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, KKSSR Ramachandran said. It was a repeat of scenes witnessed here last month as motorists struggled to manoeuvre their vehicles on flooded roads and subways while showers led to traffic congestion in the city and suburbs.

Lucknow: Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra on Thursday said all political parties in Uttar Pradesh want the Assembly elections to be held according to schedule while ensuring Covid protocol.

Jaipur: Paediatrician Kafeel Khan, who was dismissed last month over the death of children at Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College and Hospital, on Thursday said he is ready to campaign for any party that can defeat the BJP in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

Pune: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted the BJP and the NCP to come together in Maharashtra to form government in 2019, but he told the PM that "it was not possible".

New Delhi: The Union health ministry has written to eight states and UTs to enhance testing, strengthen hospital preparedness, increase the pace and coverage of COVID-19 vaccination drive and ensure strict enforcement of restrictions to counter the spread of the infection.

Chandigarh: Haryana Minister Anil Vij on Thursday said he had offered to resign from the Cabinet after the Urban Local Bodies department was reassigned to a newly inducted minister and was told that he may be divested of the home portfolio as well.